Under the Helmet – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 12, 2005
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Ohio State junior split end Santonio Holmes is comfortable all over the field. Whether as a receiver or as a kick or punt return man, he is ready to travel all over the field. Every time he touches the ball, his goal is to travel to the one place where he feels most “at home.” That is the end zone.
Off the field, Holmes loves to travel as well, and despite his travels all over the country last summer to Washington D.C., Virginia, New York and Arizona, there is one destination Holmes enjoys visiting the most. That is Belle Glade, Fla., his hometown not far from West Palm Beach in south Florida.
“This summer I took a couple of trips,” Holmes said. “I love traveling because it helps me get away from school and football. I love having some time to myself”
However, home is his own private little vacation destination. He never has to worry about hotel accommodations, meals and the overall stress associated with traveling, because he knows as soon as he gets there, his mind and body can take some much needed time off.
His mom’s house serves as a place where Holmes can unwind and relax. He loves spending time in the house where he grew up to take a break from his busy life as a student-athlete in Columbus. At home, he does not have the early morning workouts, class or film study like he does when he is in school.
When most Midwesterners think of Florida, they have visions of white sandy beaches, endless reefs for snorkeling and great weather for merely being outdoors. Holmes, however, hardly ever took advantage of those benefits growing up in the Sunshine State. He considers himself a more of a homebody.
“I just really like being at home with my mom and my brothers,” Holmes said. “I do go out at night with my friends sometimes, but I really like just staying in and watching some kind of sport or movie on TV. During the day, when everyone is awake I’m always around the house and helping out my family.”
He does however enjoy spending time with his grandparents, mother and his two children, Santonio (3) and NiCori (1). He also has three brothers Kenneth (18), DeVontae (14) and Javen (7) he enjoys spending time with.
The distance between Columbus and Belle Glade can sometimes prove to be difficult for Holmes. Separation from family and friends make visiting home much more enjoyable each time he returns.
“It is hard being with them for 18 years then all of a sudden only being able to see them three or four times a year. It is not fun being away from them for that long,” Holmes, who can only make four of five trips home each year, said. “I get to talk to my parents and friends a lot, but it is not the same as being there.”
If Holmes continues to play the way he has during the first three years of his Ohio State career, his travels could take him to a new city almost every week as a player in the National Football League. He would love to visit to such destinations as Indianapolis, New England, Philadelphia and Dallas every Sunday. Not to mention, potential trips to the three Florida cities with an NFL team: Miami, Tampa and Jacksonville.
Maybe then he will not miss home so much.
